Take a look!

Take a closer look by clicking on the image. "I'm not a failure, I'm not a failure!" LOL

Joanna's Watercolor

Here is Joanna's latest art piece. She used a technique where you place salt on the wet paint to get a snow effect. Pretty neat, huh?

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a large gathering for Thanksgiving. Many children, lots of games, much food, and thankful hearts gathered around the table.


The aroma in my kitchen for three days was too wonderful. There is nothing like putting a couple of Italian women together and letting them create. The cream puffs, strombolis, ricotta turnovers, artichoke dip, and pumpkin pie smells kept the house quite cozy.
Above we're making panzarotti, or "broken belly." It's called that because they're so good that you eat until your stomach feels like it will burst! They're kind of like a calzone, but fried, so the dough is more fluffy.

The three ladies that kept the games going, the dishes clean, and the food coming!

The kiddos with their Uncle Spencer, who, by the way, made the guacamole, and sang a song from an Italian Opera that I think he is performing in Nashville. It was neat to see all the Italians in the house follow along and understand. I, on the other hand, needed translation.

Happy Birthday Nick!

It's number 8! We only have big celebrations on even years, so this year, Nicholas had an American Adventure's Birthday bash, complete with magic show, foam factory (guns and styrofoam balls), and outdoor rides.

Nicholas was the star of his own magic trick. Even he doesn't know how he made it work!

The foam confetti ending to our magic show

Daniel shooting Mom!

Cousins

I still don't know how we three ladies squeezed into the scrambler. My ribs still hurt!

Another year!

Well, my daughter turned 12! The girls that actually could stay for the cake are with her in the photo!


She had her first scrapbooking party. We didn't know how much the girls would enjoy such a thing, but it turns out that Joanna has actually created a new hobby for many of the girls. Thank you Maegan for teaching our scrapping segment of the party! The books they started look great.

Jo is quite an awesome young lady. I'm so proud of her accomplishments and her heart.

news and conversations

So I was waiting on a science book to arrive, and it finally came on the afternoon I scheduled my first lessons- what timing. We made play-dough Earths this week. I'm feeling really tired these days and want to do more for myself, like.... exercise, or do a Bible study... a hike through the woods would do.

So I put Jo's MP3 player on and danced. Pretty goofy looking, I promise, but I feel better. I also can't touch my toes to the back of my head like I used to years ago. I'm going to make that a personal goal. LOL

Jo auditioned at the local arts center and was cast in "A Christmas Carol." She gets to memorize over 20 songs, in an alto part - a new stretch for her. She plays "Amelia," who is one of the girls in a family that would benefit from Scrooge's death.

Daniel is well into flag football. He's got quite a nice spiral on his throw. And scouting continues. We're up and running for sure. We've just completed week 6 of school- and I didn't drop any "plates" until this week. Now that I'm schooling 4 at home- including a middle schooler, I really have to organize my time. Don't look too closely at the furniture- I think it says "DUST ME."

Back to the schoolroom I go!
Rhon

Go Mets! ... oops... I mean Braves!

We had such a blast at the Braves Game Friday night! - Thanks Jen Moore! Nick spent the evening reminiscing about the days his dad took him to Shea Stadium to see the Mets. So what could he do but quietly root for them?

We enjoyed dinner with the Hollis family, Happy Birthday Teresa! I couldn't resist dropping this picture in of Amanda and Emily. Aren't they cute?


Well...Mets won 7-1 (Nick's secret wish granted), our tickets included dinner, and to top it off, it was free hat night. What a deal!




A pre-game photo op!









Yes, we had a bird's eye view! After the game, there were fireworks. Lots of them. Better than the 4th of July!

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

From Rhonda's Desk (the homeschool table):

Yesterday, the books I ordered from Desiring God Ministries arrived, and it was like Christmas. Immediately I opened Suffering and the Sovereignty of God. I read the first 50 pages or so and have been so encouraged.

Excerpts from the book:
"'Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning' (Ps. 30:5)... We can wait for joy that comes in the morning because of faith in our good and sovereign God. But we must not forget that the night is often long and dark, and the weeping is often uncontrollable." (p. 13, para. 2)

We don't often think about that, and I am so encouraged to hear someone confirm that grieving happens in the process of suffering in God's hand. Pain has a purpose and not all suffering is sin. Nor is Satan "sovereign" in suffering.

I've been particularly impressed with a hymn quoted:

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessing on you head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

William Cowper, "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" (1774)

Our First Week of School

Our fun first week! This is the place where genius happens! Note the coffee - a necessary component for thinking early in the morning. And yes, we did get laundry done this week. Whew!

We don't like roller coasters!

So we took the kids to Six Flags. We turned the corner and hit the first roller coaster we saw, the Cyclone. It must be the oldest coaster in the park, it's wooden and it jerked us around like nothing I'd experienced before. The kids didn't like it! We had to press them to try the other coasters. By the end of the day, Nicholas overcame his fear, but the other two? Maybe next year!

Playing with the horses...as promised

We kept our promise. We visited Tom and Belinda. They are quite the family! Currently, they have 27 horses at the ranch. The boys are great playmates and Belinda is a great teacher (Tom is too)!

This is "Pumkin." She is 2 years old and ready to begin training!




Who needs horses to have fun! They boys just love playing in the dirt. By the way, they had several "babies" on the ranch. And the stud was quite intimidating!

A Picture of Trust

A thought from Nick...

In the past several years God has placed before me opportunities to rejoice in suffering. Though I am thankful for it, it has not been an easy road. When I take my eyes off my Savior & instead look upon my storms & trials I put myself in a place God never intended His child to be in. Doubt, fear & hopelessness can creep in & try to steal the joy God desires for me. I begin to question if God is listening; if He is really hearing my prayers & my cries for deliverance & healing. Today I received an email from Ken Sande's Peace Maker Ministry that helped me firm up my focus, reinforce my faith & remember in whom I place my trust. I hope you also are encouraged by this:

"Therefore we do not lose heart." 2 Cor. 4:16

Trusting God proved to be the pattern in Paul's life. Even when the Lord did not immediately relieve his sufferings, Paul continued to view everything that happened to him as God's sovereign will (2 Cor. 4:17-18). This doesn't mean that Paul never had doubts or that he never asked God to relieve his suffering (2 Cor. 12:7-8). But when the Lord's response did not match Paul's request, he was willing to believe that God had something better in mind (vv. 9-10).

Think of the last time the Lord's response did not match your request.

What does trusting God look like? Ken reminds us that it doesn't mean wearing a painted on smile when troubles come and practicing the art of denial when doubts arise. Those verses in 2 Cor. 12 show the apostle Paul "pleading" for God to take the thorn in his flesh away. So, then what does trusting God look like? "But when the Lord's response did not match Paul's request, he was"--what's that next word? That's right--"willing."

Trusting looks like a willingness to believe in God's goodness toward us in the middle of pleadings and tears and sufferings and doubts and questions. Trusting is choosing to believe that God desires the best for us, his children. That's not always easy, but as Paul would attest, it's always worth it!"

Shine!

A Week in the life...

A thought from Rhon...
I was recently reading from the passage in Luke 18:1-8 where Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow. The woman kept coming to a wicked judge to be given justice. She did not stop even though the judge had no desire to uphold righteousness. And yet, because of her persistence, he gave her the justice she desired. God uses this in contrast to Himself. He says that we “ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Because God will “give justice to his elect.” Verse 8 says, “I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

I was freshly convicted by the last sentence in these verses. I suspect that some of us pray not expecting God to answer, but more than that, I think many of us just plainly don’t pray. I often find myself working out my solutions in my own self-sufficiency. After all, I’ve held it together in the past, right? I think for me, I still don’t “get grace” (to put it in a friend’s words). Grace says, “bring it to the Father,” “rest in His answer,” and “trust Him.” “Stop working out life apart from Him.” A renewed prayer for me – “Lord, create faith in me so that it may be found there when you return.”

Some Photos:
A trip to Blankets Creek. We had so much fun our children begged to go back again. Even Anthony managed the bridges and obstacles. Daniel did some trick riding, including riding along the top of a log, and crossing over a "sea-saw."


Anyone do the "Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-fil-A? We got free lunch for dressing as cows, and yes, Mom did it too!
Nick got home that night and insisted on getting into the gear again, so we ate dinner there for free also. I don't want to go back for a while!


A picture with our "missionary niece." Jes and Steve recently returned from a year+ commitment in the Philippines. They really put their heart and soul into serving there and we're proud.

Happy 4th!

Daniel, Nicholas and Dad got to be a part of the Parade on July 4th with the Cub Scouts, Pack 999. They handed out freeze ices to the watching crowd.


(notice our little "scub scout" in the background, also taking part in the parade! Actually he's just eating!)


Jo helping . . . . . . . . the "scub scout" . . . . . Caught ya! Todd and Sara

Barker Family Reunion

Our June included a fun trip to Pigeon Forge, TN to see Rhon's family. We get together with the cousins once every other year and this is a highlight for our summer. God has been gracious to give us such a loving extended family. We always feel right at home. The neat thing is that there are many cousins that live within two hours of our home- something we never knew until we moved to the South. Tom and Belinda, we're comin' to play with the horses!


Our Newest "Tee" Photo . . . . . . . Uncle Cecil & Aunt Hazel


Cousins in the Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Big Splash!

Trip to Florida

Backing up a bit, I have to share with you a special family. We visitd with friends in Florida in May. Amber and I got a "girls weekend away" to attend FPEA. So we spent a bunch of money, and played way too late! Well worth it! The dads kept all 8 children for that time and made some great memories of their own. These guys are a breath of fresh air every time we're together. We love you Ryan and Amber.

The girls having dinner at the Shingle Creek Resort

The guys also took the children to a wonderful place called Rock Springs at Kelly Park. They has a great time floating down the stream created by the springs - the springs emit 26 thousand gallons per minute & the water temperature stays a steady 72 degrees - very refreshing & very clean. All had a great time while the moms were away!

Ryan & some of the kids fishing.

Here We Go

After reading all the blogs from our friends we have been inspired to give this a go as well. What a neat way to keep friends & family posted on what's happening in our lives. Lakeside at the Campagna's will give family updates, items of interest, thoughts to ponder, photos & such. We hope you have as much fun with this as we plan to. Shine, Nick & Rhonda